The first Sandown selection of 2025...

At Cheltenham on Wednesday that Lounge Lizard jumped the fences as though he'd spent the previous night on someone else's  sofa.

Bit of a disappointment - and not the start to the new year I was hoping for.

And I'm struggling to find an each-way wager that makes much appeal on tomorrow's Unibet Veterans' Chaseday card at Sandown.

The going at the Esher track is described at soft, good to soft in places, with overnight temperatures forecast to go down to -1; an inspection will take place at 7.30 am.

Eight have been declared for the Read Nicky Henderson's Weekly Unibet Blog (1.50) with Etalon, Hunter Legend and Roccovango vying for favouritism.

Back in the autumn in a stable tour article handler Dan Skelton said the following about Etalon:

"The plan is to go for the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. I think the track at Exeter will be perfect for him. I can not tell you why he ran the way he did at Aintree [seventh of ten behind Found A Fifty in the Maghull Novices' Chase] as the rest of the season had been seamless.

"If you win a Haldon Gold Cup you would be tempted to give the Tingle Creek a go as Jonbon is likely to scare off most horses.

"It is either that or you leave him and go for the Desert Orchid at Kempton, which is a limited handicap, and that might suit him well, but we will cross that bridge after Exeter." 

In the event Etalon raced in second for much of the trip at Exeter but when the taps were turned on in the home straight, he made a slight error four out and then a more substantial one three from home that effectively put paid to his chance; he finished last of the five runners, 29 lengths behind winner JPR One.

Since then he has finished last of nine behind General Medrano in the Jim Joel Memorial Trophy at Newbury before staying on under a hold-up ride to finish fifth behind Libberty Hunter at Cheltenham three weeks ago (Triple Trade fourth).

Clearly he comes into this with a question or two to answer but back in February the gelding beat Gunsight Ridge nine lengths over two miles at the track. This represents his first try over fences at the trip and, in these calmer waters, has to have every chance on his best form.

Dan Skelton also saddles top weight Unexpected Party who was perhaps a tad fortunate to beat Libberty Hunter in the Grand Annual at the Festival in March. 

With brother Harry's enthusiasm to establish a lead in the David Power Jockeys' Cup standings - £500,000 to the jockey who rides the most winners covered by ITV racing during the season - being widely reported in the media, Etalon appears to be the stable's main hope.

To date no such lofty ambitions have been expressed by connections of Hunter Legend who won the Silver Fox at Leicester seven days ago; Venetia Williams' charge races from one pound out of the handicap here but Ned Fox claims three.

Aged nine, Roccovango only has three chase starts to his name but Olly Murphy's charge can boast two wins and a second - beaten a nose by Guard Your Dreams at Warwick in October where his tendency to jump right probably proved his undoing. 

That habit shouldn't be a cause for too much concern at Sandown and the handler will presumably have a line on this one's chance with Etalon through stable companion Gunsight Ridge.

Jupiter Du Gite likes to race from the front.

Back in April he was beaten 49 lengths by Carbon King at Uttoxeter but it would be unwise to take that form at face value. 

Four weeks ago Gary and Josh Moore's charge tried three miles for the first time here and was far too keen for his own good out in front, eventually passed by Holy Joe Smoke and Passing Well after the last on the run up the hill.

Back in January last year Joe Tizzard said of Triple Trade [RP Weekender 17-21.01.24]:

"He's had a hell of  season, winning twice and also being placed twice. He was a cheap horse, so it's great for his owners. He's on the upgrade and in a big way. He'll go to Lingfield for a race on Sunday and won there as a novice hurdler. Hopefully that goes well before we have some more fun with him in the spring."

Triple Trade finished fifth of six runners at Lingfield that day off a mark of 138 - and hasn't won since. As a result, on 127 tomorrow, he looks feasibly handicapped, having won off 135 at Ascot just over 12 months ago. Last time out he was six lengths clear of Etalon behind Libberty Hunter at Cheltenham.

In a trappy looking affair the two outsiders, Hubrisko and Carbon King, have been under consideration. 

Carbon King went into the notebook when beating Fine Casting at Ffos Las in December 2023. Evan Williams subsequently said in a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.02-03.03.24]:

"He ran a very good race first time out for us [eighth behind Nemean Lion at Ffos Las] and it was nice to win with him at Ffos Las. He was 25/1 and we didn't really fancy him but he handled the ground exceptionally well. We've run him up in grade the last twice, which was tilting at windmills a bit, but he'll be fine back in calmer waters. I'd like to stay chasing with him and Ffos Las plays to his strengths - he handles the ground there, which a lot of horses don't."

He fell at the last when beaten behind Jupiter Du Gite at Uttoxeter in March before beating Fine Casting (a second time) at the same track in April.

After two runs over hurdles this season, he finished fifth on his first chase start of the term, just under 14 lengths behind Kotmask at Ascot.

Hubrisko has his second run for Harry Dereham whose gallop was left 'unfit for purpose' by Storm Bert at the end of November. 

On his last run for Willie Mullins in August 2023 Hubrisko made all to win a beginners' chase at Killarney. 

In five chase starts to date, he has been placed in four and was kicked at the start when finishing ninth at Galway (August 2023); after the race the vet reported the gelding had a haematoma on his his right fore elbow and abrasions to his right fore cannon, so that run is easily forgiven.

On his first run for new connections he was always behind in a hurdle race at Newbury. 

He goes off 134 here, a mark three pounds lower than he won from over in Ireland. The yard appears to have recovered from the setback caused by Storm Bert, recording 3 wins from 8 runs (38% strike-rate) in the past fortnight.

In a Stable Tour piece, the handler commented:

"He has some useful bits of form on his record..." 

Carbon King has been backed down from 28/1 earlier today and is now 14/1 with most layers; as his very best form has come on heavy ground, I would have preferred to have seen further rain.

I'd envisage Hubrisko will race prominently with, amongst others, Jupiter Du Gite. 

I'll close my eyes, say my prayers and take a small each-way interest in Hubrisko at around 16/1 tomorrow morning, provided, of course, the track passes its 7.30 am inspection...